Zelma Kalama McCloud, age 88, passed peacefully in her home on December 20, 2017.
She had love for all her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She enjoyed travelling with the Nisqually Elders Program, which she worked with for many years, attending Tribal Journeys, supporting our Seahawks, shopping including garage sales, fishing and smoking fish and time spent with grandchildren. She also participated in community events such as Chief Leschi Honor walk and Cancer support walks.
A proud time for her was when she walked in her cap and gown to receive her G.E.D at age 60.
Zelma was a great leader that served as the Chairwoman of Nisqually Tribe and was deeply passionate for the Tribe and overall community welfare. She was an advocate for building programs for the Nisqually Tribe and was one of the founders for programs such as, South Puget Sound Intertribal Planning Agency during her time as Chairwoman. She was often asked by many to do opening blessings for events, by both Tribal leaders and other Dignitaries. During her opening blessings, she spoke to the youth expressing their importance to the Tribe’s future.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Peter Kalama and Alice Jackson Kalama; Husband; Orvid “Butch” McCloud; Brothers, Lawrence, Elmer, Fred, Roy, and Edward Kalama, Sisters; Sadie Kalama Squally Mounts, Mildred Kalama Ikebe, Violet Kalama, Carmen Lottie Kalama Holmes, Zelda Kalama Thompson and Josephine Wells; Nisqually, WA, Oliver, Naomi, Francis, Ester, Henry, Mary, Gilbert and Irene; Warm Springs, OR, Sons; Aaron T. Kalama and Patrick “Rick” McCloud.
She is survived by Carmen “Boots” Kalama, Lorna, “Beeb” Kalama, Judy Kalama Powell, Annette “Netts” McCloud Bullchild, Brian “Sonnyboy” McCloud, Catherine “Cathy” McCloud. She had 13 Grandchildren, 15 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren.
The Wake service will be Tuesday, December 26 at 7pm at the Nisqually Youth and Community Center. The Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 27 at 10:00am at the Nisqually Youth and Community Center. Burial services will be at the Nisqually Tribe, Leschi Cemetery.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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